SunGard’s iWorks tool links a health information exchange with a health plan’s databases and processing systems, allowing health plans to access and analyze a patient’s electronic health records in real time, rather than after a claim is processed, Wayne, Pennsylvania-based SunGard said Wednesday in a statement.

In the statement, SunGard said the tool could help reduce the length of a patient’s stay, duplicative procedures, readmissions, fraud and abuse, thereby lowering costs and improving the quality of health care.

“The demand for electronic health information systems is growing along with nationwide efforts to improve the quality, safety and efficiency of health care delivery,” J.P. James, president of SunGard’s insurance business, said in the statement. “SunGard’s health information exchange connectivity solution can play an important role in a health plan’s overall cost containment and customer service strategies, which will become more crucial as the number of individuals enrolling in health plans continues to grow.”